--- title: How Employers Can Reduce Spend on Common Medical Procedures description: Healthcare costs will continue rising this year. Ensure your company is prepared with these strategies for reducing spending on common medical procedures. image: https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/AdobeStock_257610914-2-1.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/how-employers-can-reduce-spend-on-common-medical-procedures#page-content) [![Valenz Health](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/web/logo.svg)](https://www.valenzhealth.com/) - [Who We Serve](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/) - [Solutions](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/) - [About Us](https://www.valenzhealth.com/about-us/) - [Resources](https://www.valenzhealth.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://www.valenzhealth.com/contact/) ### [Patients](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/members/) ### Payers - [Employers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/employers/) - [Taft-Hartley Funds](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/taft-hartley-funds/) ### Providers - [Healthcare Facilities and Providers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/healthcare-facilities-and-providers/) ### Plans - [Health Plans](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/health-plans/) - [Third-Party Administrators](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/third-party-administrators-tpas/) - [Brokers and Consultants](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/brokers/) - [Stop Loss Producers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/stop-loss-producers/) #### Partner with Us Discover how Vālenz Health® can simplify the healthcare experience with our innovative solutions. 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With the worst of the pandemic behind us, patients who put off care are now scheduling long-delayed procedures. This increased utilization may cause employers and employees to overpay. Considering the forecasted trends, it’s critical to make moves to reduce spending on common medical procedures. ## Employer Impact Employees can quickly become overwhelmed when faced with a high-cost or complex medical procedure, especially given the [vast differences in care quality and costs between providers](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/22/upshot/hospital-prices.html). Because prices for the same procedure at different facilities can vary [by 50% to more than 200%](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11798183/), finding the right care can be daunting. For example, Shannon, a [Valenz Bluebook](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/shannon-saved-1500-with-healthcare-bluebooks-transparency-solution) member, needed an MRI, but didn’t realize that fees for the procedure could vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  One facility charged $2,500 for the procedure, but Valenz Bluebook’s color-coded system made it easy for Shannon to find a different provider that charged less than $1,000. Not only did Shannon save $1,500, but she also helped her employer reduce its overall medical spend. Many people don’t understand how their healthcare choices impact employers. Workers at self-insured companies may not realize their employer pays their medical bills and provides the insurer with a portion of the costs in exchange for plan administration.  It’s a trickle-down effect. If an employee consistently chooses high-cost providers, the overspending will eventually affect their benefits and potentially impact other desirable perks. Further, if the high-cost provider also ranks low in quality, the patient may experience poor outcomes, leading to additional medical costs. These consistent low-value provider choices are part of why benefit costs increase each year. Additionally, benefits costs can impact an organization's ability to compete for the best employees. In their quest for a fulfilling career, employees are also taking a close look at the full spectrum of benefits offered. If benefits costs are high and the offering is less robust, employers might lose out on top job candidates. ## How to Reduce Costs of Common Medical Procedures It’s essential to provide simple solutions that keep costs down for employers and employees. Let’s examine some strategies that can reduce the cost of common medical procedures. ### Offer well-being programs. Workers want employers that support the whole person and encourage a healthy physical, social, mental, and financial lifestyle. Providing [well-being programs](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/top-ways-employers-hold-down-healthcare-spending.aspx) to assist employees with their goals will help them be more productive and engaged at work while maintaining their physical health, thus reducing spend on medical procedures. Healthier employees are happier employees. It’s critical to think of a holistic approach to health to ensure employees have full lives. ### Empower employees. Every person has a unique healthcare journey full of specific concerns and needs, meaning that healthcare isn’t a one-size-fits-all continuum. To meet varying employee needs, employers must provide meaningful benefit options that employees are engaged with and empowered to use. When employees are in charge of their healthcare — and empowered with a tool like Valenz Bluebook that enables them to compare the quality and costs between providers — they’re motivated to make healthy, wise decisions. Incentivizing employees is another effective strategy to change shopping behavior. [Engagement rewards](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/valenz-bluebook/) through targeted financial incentives are powerful motivators, encouraging employees to take advantage of their benefits. ### Invest in quality and cost solutions. For an employer to save money and help employees save money, it’s critical to invest in quality and cost navigation solutions. Easy-to-use digital tools can help employees find high-quality providers at a Fair Price™.  For example, Valenz Bluebook’s digital solution makes it easy for employees to find high-value care, guided by an intuitive, [color-coded, green-yellow-red system](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/valenz-bluebook/). Green providers charge at or below Fair Price, yellow providers are slightly above Fair Price, and red providers are significantly above Fair Price. ![valenz-bluebook-example](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Blog%20Graphics/valenz-bluebook-example.png?width=800&height=768&name=valenz-bluebook-example.png) The results? Employers save an average of $1,500 every time an employee uses Valenz Bluebook to shop for and receive care from high-value providers, and employees save on out-of-pocket expenses. ## Reduce Costs with Innovative Solutions A robust suite of benefits with quality and cost transparency tools is essential for attracting and retaining top talent while reducing medical spend. And the comprehensive suite of Member Experience solutions from Vālenz Health® can help make it happen. Learn more about how we can reduce your healthcare spend while maintaining an attractive benefits package for employees by contacting our team members today. ### Connect with Us to Learn More   ![Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Valenz%20Logo%20Signature.png?width=48&height=48&name=Valenz%20Logo%20Signature.png) [Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/valenz-health) Vālenz Health® empowers employers, brokers, payers, and providers to reduce costs, improve quality, and elevate the healthcare experience. Our solutions combine advanced technology, clinical expertise, and extensive cost, quality, and utilization datasets to execute across the entire healthcare journey — connecting insights and action for greater transparency, flexibility, and cost containment within a complex system. By helping our customers and members navigate healthcare with confidence, we support smarter care decisions, strengthen plan performance, and deliver better value for everyone we serve. ## Related Articles [![A doctor's stethoscope lying beside an emptied piggy bank.](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/why-price-transparency-isnt-enough-featured-blog-image.png)](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/incentivizing-smarter-healthcare-choices) ### [Why Price Transparency Isn’t Enough: The Importance of Incentives in Driving Smarter Healthcare Decisions](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/incentivizing-smarter-healthcare-choices) [Christie LaGrange](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/christie-lagrange) October 21, 2026 [![A doctor preparing a patient for a mammogram. ](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/AdobeStock_222120820-1.jpeg)](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/breast-cancer-awareness-and-the-cost-of-inaction) ### [The Cost of a Mammogram vs. the Price of Inaction: Making High-Value Care Easier to Find](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/breast-cancer-awareness-and-the-cost-of-inaction) In the United States, approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at some point in their life, and 1 in 43 (2.3%) will die from the disease. [Suzanne Symons](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/suzanne-symons) October 01, 2026 Share Ready to Simplify Self-Insurance? ## Your Journey Starts Here Connect with a Valenz team member to explore the difference our solutions can make for you. ![Vālenz Health](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/logo.svg) [![Youtube](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Icon-Youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/@valenzhealth) [![Linkedin](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Icon-Linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/valenz/) [Login](https://www.valenzhealth.com/user-login/) [Help Center](https://support.valenzhealth.com/hc/en-us) [Trust Center](https://trust.valenzhealth.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.valenzhealth.com/privacy-policy/) Cookie Settings [Cookie Policy](https://www.valenzhealth.com/cookie-policy/) [California Privacy Rights Notice](https://www.valenzhealth.com/california-privacy-rights-notice/) [Terms and Conditions](https://www.valenzhealth.com/terms-and-conditions/) 1717 McKinney Ave, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75202, USA | [(866) 762-4455](tel:+18667624455) © 2026 Vālenz Health® ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Healthcare Costs" } ], "articleBody" : "Utilization and healthcare spending is expected to continue to increase in 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted the focus of care to the critically ill and forced others to delay or cancel care for non-emergency conditions. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, patients who put off care are now scheduling long-delayed procedures. This increased utilization may cause employers and employees to overpay. Considering the forecasted trends, it’s critical to make moves to reduce spending on common medical procedures. Employer Impact Employees can quickly become overwhelmed when faced with a high-cost or complex medical procedure, especially given the vast differences in care quality and costs between providers. Because prices for the same procedure at different facilities can vary by 50% to more than 200%, finding the right care can be daunting. For example, Shannon, a Valenz Bluebook member, needed an MRI, but didn’t realize that fees for the procedure could vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. One facility charged $2,500 for the procedure, but Valenz Bluebook’s color-coded system made it easy for Shannon to find a different provider that charged less than $1,000. Not only did Shannon save $1,500, but she also helped her employer reduce its overall medical spend. Many people don’t understand how their healthcare choices impact employers. Workers at self-insured companies may not realize their employer pays their medical bills and provides the insurer with a portion of the costs in exchange for plan administration. It’s a trickle-down effect. If an employee consistently chooses high-cost providers, the overspending will eventually affect their benefits and potentially impact other desirable perks. Further, if the high-cost provider also ranks low in quality, the patient may experience poor outcomes, leading to additional medical costs. These consistent low-value provider choices are part of why benefit costs increase each year. Additionally, benefits costs can impact an organization's ability to compete for the best employees. In their quest for a fulfilling career, employees are also taking a close look at the full spectrum of benefits offered. If benefits costs are high and the offering is less robust, employers might lose out on top job candidates. How to Reduce Costs of Common Medical Procedures It’s essential to provide simple solutions that keep costs down for employers and employees. Let’s examine some strategies that can reduce the cost of common medical procedures. Offer well-being programs. Workers want employers that support the whole person and encourage a healthy physical, social, mental, and financial lifestyle. Providing well-being programs to assist employees with their goals will help them be more productive and engaged at work while maintaining their physical health, thus reducing spend on medical procedures. Healthier employees are happier employees. It’s critical to think of a holistic approach to health to ensure employees have full lives. Empower employees. Every person has a unique healthcare journey full of specific concerns and needs, meaning that healthcare isn’t a one-size-fits-all continuum. To meet varying employee needs, employers must provide meaningful benefit options that employees are engaged with and empowered to use. When employees are in charge of their healthcare — and empowered with a tool like Valenz Bluebook that enables them to compare the quality and costs between providers — they’re motivated to make healthy, wise decisions. Incentivizing employees is another effective strategy to change shopping behavior. Engagement rewards through targeted financial incentives are powerful motivators, encouraging employees to take advantage of their benefits. Invest in quality and cost solutions. For an employer to save money and help employees save money, it’s critical to invest in quality and cost navigation solutions. Easy-to-use digital tools can help employees find high-quality providers at a Fair Price™. For example, Valenz Bluebook’s digital solution makes it easy for employees to find high-value care, guided by an intuitive, color-coded, green-yellow-red system. Green providers charge at or below Fair Price, yellow providers are slightly above Fair Price, and red providers are significantly above Fair Price. The results? Employers save an average of $1,500 every time an employee uses Valenz Bluebook to shop for and receive care from high-value providers, and employees save on out-of-pocket expenses. Reduce Costs with Innovative Solutions A robust suite of benefits with quality and cost transparency tools is essential for attracting and retaining top talent while reducing medical spend. And the comprehensive suite of Member Experience solutions from Vālenz Health® can help make it happen. Learn more about how we can reduce your healthcare spend while maintaining an attractive benefits package for employees by contacting our team members today. 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